Environmental and occupational exposures and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in New England

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Affiliates	Angeline S. Andrew [1,2], Tracie A. Caller [3], Rup Tandan [4], Eric J. Duell [5],Patricia L. Henegan [2], Nicholas C. Field [2], Walter G. Bradley [5], Elijah W. Stommel [2] [1] Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth [2] Department of Neurology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth [3] Medical Specialty Clinic, Cheyenne Regional Medical Center [4] Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Vermont Medical Center [5] Department of Neurology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami [6] Cancer Epidemiology Research Program, Catalan Institute of Oncology
Journal	Neurodegenerative Diseases
Summary	This case-control study sought to evaluate environmental and occupational exposures as risk factors for sporadic ALS. Survey responses from 295 persons living with ALS were compared to 225 controls without neurodegenerative illness. There was an observed risk of ALS amongst people who worked with one or more toxicants: pesticides, solvents, or heavy metals. Moreover, industries with higher toxicant exposure potential (constructions, manufacturing, mechanical, military, or painting) were associated with an elevated occupational risk. Lastly, there was an increased risk of ALS associated with frequent participation in water sports, particularly waterskiing.
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